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I would like to give up alcohol…I have a daily consumption of one pint of beer and a half bottle of wine with my evening meal. I rarely drink at other times.

Singstrum12
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I had chemo, radiotherapy and surgery to remove my oesophagus, in 2017/18. In 2020 I was diagnosed with lung cancer and have since had 90 immunotherapy treatments, one every three weeks since.

I am 76 years old, physically active ( though creaky with RA and heart failure issues) and happy with my partner and life. I love having a drink with my evening meal and can’t kick the habit, though I  would like to give up alcohol, and believe I could do, if I could manage a shortish (10 day?) period without it.

Does anyone know of a good ‘ retreat’ organisation that would meet my needs. I’m happy to pay for this, but there are several out there, and  it’s hard to spot which are good rather than ordinary.

JH

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    Hi singstrum

    3 units beer 5 units wine 8 units a day of alcohol is a lot. The rehab centres dont have a geat success rate. After 60 years of drinking it will be difficult to stop especially as you love a drink with your evening meal. Cutting down might be a more realistic. Substitute one drink with sparkling water. Cut out the high alcohol wine or just have one glass. Drink 4% beer rather than 5%. If you want to try stopping tell all your friends and relatives and do a sponsored Sober October proceeds to a childrens cancer charity. The NHS has some good tips too. Good luck with your quest.

    Ed

  • Offline in reply to Farmer_Ed

    Thanks Ed,

    good advice which I will follow as it seems eminently do-able. A second opinion is always welcome, even when one is older!
    I appreciate you taking the time to respond as following my post I did wonder if I had done the right thing by sharing my concerns on this site. I will let you know how I get on.

    JH

  • Offline in reply to Singstrum12

    HI JH

    Im in a similar position to you with treatments which put liver under stress. Adding alcohol makes the situation worse. So cutting it out altogether or cutting down is a good aim. If you are an alcoholic then total abstinence is the only way forward as none of the cutting down strategies will work. If you are a habitual drinker then cutting down is possible. Try having one or two days a week alchol free, buy in non alcohlic drinks to have with your meal. If you really must have a beer the non alcoholic versions have improved a lot recently. Keep a supply of cheap sparkling mineral water in the house and have a pint of this when you are feeling thirsty rather than a beer. 

    Ed

  • Offline in reply to Farmer_Ed

    Thanks Ed. I suppose I’ve become a bit gung ho over time ( having escaped death) re drinking, and haven’t always consumed the amount I am doing now. I regard myself as an alcoholic between 6 and 8pm each day, though I am in fact a habitual drinker as I don’t drink at any other time, and will aim to reduce my intake forthwith. Your advice will definitely help and has put my situation into clear focus. 
    I do enjoy a drink with the evening meal, and will now continue but under the “less is more” philosophy. I like the idea of sparkling water as an alternative. 

    I was tempted to sign off with the word “Cheers”! 
    JH

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